dowst



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

T. AS W 0 .D M s (No Model.)

G01N GONTROLLBD OPERA GLASSRBGBPTAGLB. No. 139,127.V

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

(No Model.) Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

s. M. DoWsT. t GOIN CONTROLLBD OPERA GLASS REGEPTAGLB.

Patented Ooti 28, 1890.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL M. DOVVST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,'ASSIGNOR `TO `THE AUTOMATIC l MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. i

COIN-CONTROLLED OPERA-GLASS RECEPTACLE.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,127, dated October 28, 1890.

Application led July 3, 1890. Serial No. 357,593. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, SAMUEL M. DOWST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improveniente in a Coin-Controlled Opera-Glass Receptacle, which are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide Y a receptacle in which an opera-glass or other article may be deposited and inclosed, access to the receptacle being obtained only after r 5 depositing a coin adapted to operate mechanism by which the receptacle is locked, to per` mit it to be opened, the opera-glass when the device is employed for that purpose being at no time disconnected from the receptacle so as to be removable beyond the length of a connecting chain or cable, such chain or cable being so connected as to be automatically withdrawn into the receptacle when the glass is redeposited therein.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the receptacle closed and containing the opera-glass, which is visible through the glass pane in the door of the receptacle. Fig. 2 is a section at the line 2 2 on Fig. l from vfront to rear through the receptacle, showing the parts in the position occupied when the door is closed. Fig. 3 is a section at the line 3 3 on Fig. 2, showing the locking mechanism in elevation. Fig. Ltis a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the parts in the position occupied when the receptacledoor is open. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation of the parts by means of which the coin operates the locking devices to unlock the door, the coin being shown in position to operate for that purpose. Fig. 6 is a detail front elevation, the position being that occupied after the door has been partly lifted after the coin has been deposited. Fig. 7 is a similar detail showing the parts in the position occupied after the door is slightly elevated and just as the action of the coin to disengage the catch commences, section being made at the line 7 7 on Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail similar to Fig. 7, but show- 5o ing the door elevated far enough to cause the coin to perform its function of disengaging the catch and showing the catch disengaged, the coin not having yet fallen into the coinpocket. Fig. 9 is a sectional plan corresponding to Fig. 8in the position of the parts, 55 section being made at the line 9 9 on Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective-` of the door-frame. Fig. ll is a section at the line 2 2 on Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow at said line, showing the catch which holds the door 6o open about to engage the stud on the door for that purpose, said stud being shown in the position reached just before the door is fully opened.

The locking mechanism shown in the drawings is substantially the same as that which is shown and described in patent to myself and Frank H. Hosmer, No. 430,569, dated June 17, 1890, and I will describe the saine only in a general way in order to indicate its 7o relation to the other parts of this invention and its adaptation to the special purpose to which it is herein applied.

To the rear inner wall A of the inclosingcase there is secured a coin-chute vIB, having its upper end coinciding with a slot a in the upper end A of the case, so thata coin'passed through said slot may enter the said chute and fall therein until stopped.

C is a bell-crank lever, pivoted at cto the 8o rear wall A of the case, one arm of said lever having the cam-slot C and being curved, as illustrated, andV extending across the back of the case when the parts are in closed position, but standing nearly upright when the parts are in open position. The other arm C2 of said bell-crank lever is of such length that at the first-mentioned position of the leverthat is, when thecurved and slotted arm is extended across the back of the case-said 9o shorter arm terminates adjacent to the coinpath in the coin-chute B, but not protruding across said path; but when said lever is rocked on its pivot` by lifting the longer curved` arm the point of said shorter arm is rocked over into the path of Vthe coin in the chute.

D is a lever, pivoted on avertical pivot D and rocking horizontally, having one arm D p standing across the path of the coin at the roc discharge end of the chute B and preventing the egress of the coin from said chute when said lever stands in normal position-that is, in the position to which it is forced by the spring CZ reacting between it and the back of the case. The forward edge of the arm D is beveled, as illustrated at d. Y

E is a slide operating between guideways a on the back of the case and carrying the studpin E', which projects into the slots C of the bell-crank lever C, and thereby operating said lever as the slide is reciprocated between the guideways. Said slide at the lower end has the beveled nose or catch E2, which is engaged by the longer arm of the lever D, said arm engaging above the square shoulder of said nose to prevent moving the slide upward.

CL2 is a stop-pin in the back plate A, which arrests the slide at the downward limit of its movement, the position of said stop-pin being such as to permit a little range of movement of the slide upward from the pin before it is arrested by the engagement of the nose E2 with the lever D. The distance between the point of the arm C2 of the lever C after it has been protruded into the coin-path by slightly lifting the slide E and the arm D of the lever D is such as to accommodate between them a selected coin, and the distance which it is necessary to rock the arm D of said lever D in order to allow such coin to fall orbe forced out past it from the end of the chute is sufficient to withdraw the opposite arm of said lever out of the path of the nose E2 on the slide E, and the range of movement which is permitted to the slide after leaving the stop a2 before the nose reaches the lever D is sufticient to give to the arm C2 of the lever C enough downward motion to force a coin which may be between it and the arm D of the lever D downward far enough to cause the coin resting on the beveled edge of the said arm D to crowd said arm back horizontally far enough to withdraw the opposite arm of the lever D out of the path of the nose before the nose reaches said lever D, so that when the proper coin is in position on the arm Dl of the lever D the lifting of the slide causes that coin to withdraw the lever D from above the nose E2 and permit the slide to pass the lever and make its full movement unobstructed by the locking devices.

The size of the coin used is such as to prevent the introduction of a coin much larger than the selected coin, and a coin which is smaller will fail to give the requisite movement to the lever D to carry it out of the path of the nose. If, however, the coi n-chute should be large enough to admit a coin somewhat larger than the selected coin, such coin, when lodged upon the lever-arm D and pushed downward by the arm C2 of the lever C, will crowd the lever-arm D back against the back plate A, and said lever-arm being thus stopped by the back plate will prevent the coin from escaping out of the coin-chute past said leverV on account of' the extra size of the coin, and

when it thus remains in the chute the coin will lock the lever C by preventing its arm C2 from moving downward and will thereby prevent the lifting of the slide E, so locking the same as effectually as it would be locked by the engagement of the nose under the lever D, so that a coin differing in size from the selected coin, whether larger or smaller, will be inoperative to open or permit the opening of the case.

F is a block, which is fastened to and adapted to move as integral with the slide E. It is cut away on the rear side to allow the curved arm of the lever O to play across the face of the slide E as freely as if the block were not employed. This block serves as a means of connecting the door-frame with the slide E, to cause the said door-frame to move with the slide, or, to state the action in the order in which it occurs, to cause the doorframe to move the slide. The door-frame comprises a rectangular yoke or loop G2, having its two side arms G10 G40 extending forward to and made rigid with the front rectangular frame G, in which is framed the glass panel G2. The door-frame is made rigid with the slide E by screws, which bind the back bar of the loop G0 to the block F.

H is the opera-glass receptacle, which is a box closed except upon the forward side, and corresponding in vertical and horizontal dimensions to the glass panel G2 in the doorframe. The depth of this box H from front to rear is such as to permit it to stand within the loop or yoke G3 of the door-frame. Itis supported in the case by the feet H at the lower side, which attach to the back plate A of the case below the lever D, though it may have other supports, but necessarily below the lowest position of the yoke G3 of the doorframe. As constructed and illustrated, I support the opera-glass receptacle also by providing it with the forwardly-projecting lip H2, which makes a ledge on the forward side on which the door G lodges at its closed position and turning down that lip in a vertical flange H20, through which screws are inserted into the front plate A2. Said front plate, in addition to being attached to the opera-glass receptacle, as described, is attached at its lateral edges to the side plates A4 A4 of the case, and it has the rectangular opening A30 of such size as to be closed by the door G, which slides behind the front plate and lodges, as stated, on the ledge H2 of the receptacle H. In order to guide the door and door-frame in its sliding movement-in addition to the guidance which it obtains bybeingrigid with the slideE, I provide the grooved bars A40 A40, attached to the plates A4 A4, respectively, of the case, and provide the door-frame with laterally-projecting tongues g, which enter the grooves in said grooved bars, respectively, and slide vertically therein as the door is raised and lowered. In order -that the vertical extent of the entire case may lIot be unduly great, I cut away the top plate IOO IIO

at the top part to allow the door to slide A tures adapted to be locked by dogs, which are` out through it as it is lifted, and in the opening thus formed I place and hinge to the top plate the door A10, adapted to open by swinging vertically as it is pushed by the door G as the latter is lifted. A tongue d10 may be provided on the under side of this swinging door and a spring A11 attached to the top plate and pressing upon the tongue, tending to close the door, but adapted to hold it open, also, after it is opened to a certain point, as seen in FigQll. The sole purpose of this door A10 is to close the opening made for the sliding door G, to prevent dust and dirt falling into the case. The sliding-door frame is provided with the stud g10, projecting from one of the said arms G10 of the yoke toward the side plate A1 of the case, and on the inner surface of said side plate I secure the spring-catch J, which is simply a horizontal sliding bolt beveled at its under side at the rear end, which stands in the path of the stud g10 as the latter travels up and down with the slidin g-door frame, and is located at such position as to be forced back by the engagement of said stud just before the latter reaches the highest position and at the highest position of the stud to be shot forward by its spring and engage under the stud and lock the door G at the highest position-that is, open. For this spring-catch may be substituted any other spring-locking device to hold the sliding door open, and such locking device I design to be operated by a key entered through a key-hole co4 in the side plate A4. When the construction of said spring-catch, which is described, is used, I provide the bolt J with a vertical arm J which projects past the key-hole, so as to be subject to the action of the key inserted through the key-hole and obtaining bearing in the bracket J 0 as said key is rotated, whereby it engages said arm J and forces back the bolt. In practice, in many situations, a more complicated lock will be desirable, and I have shown this simple device merely as a conventional indication of the purpose of this structure-viz., that the door shall be automatically locked open and adapted to be unlocked only`by a person provided with a special means for the purpose, as a key, or provided with a knowledge of the combination which controls the lock.

Below the opera-glass receptacle H and within the entire inclosing-case there is journaled in suitable brackets L L a spring-actuated roller M, to which is attached a chain N, adapted to be wound around the roller, said chain passing through the slot hin the bottom of the opera-glass receptacle H, and to the free end of the chain the opera-glass is attached securely. As illustrated, the brackets L L are supported on the receptacle II, and this is a convenient mode of construction. The detail structure of this spring-roller M and of its supportingbrackets and controlling part is of the familiar character of spring-rollers for curtain-hxcentrifugally actuated by the rapid-'rotation of the roller to prevent their engagement with a ratchet on the spindle. I do not limit myself Ato the use of this particular kind of a spring-actuated roller or to this particular means of locking the roller, but have employed this construction and selected it for illustration because it is familiar and suitable.

The space in the case below the spring-roller M constitutes a coin-receptacle, and as a convenient means of affording access to said receptacle I hinge the lower e'nd A5 of the case to the back plateA and lock it to the front plate A3 by any safe-lock, the position of which is indicated by the key-hole a3 in the front plate. This door also serves to give access to the spring-roller and mechanism in case any disarrangement of its parts should make such access desirable.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoing description to be as follows: 'lhe case being closed, the coin-receptacle locked, and the sliding door G at its highest position and locked in that position by the presence of the lever D above the nose E2, any person desiring to use the opera-glass in the receptacle will insert the designated coin in the slot a in the top plate A. The coin falling through the chute lodges upon the end of the arm Df of the lever D, and thereupon the operator, lifting the door G to its highest position, will carry up the slide E, which through the movement of the lever C, caused by the engagement of thev stud-pin E in the slot C of said lever, will engage the coin, and by means of the coin forced downward by the lever will force down the arm D' of the lever D and will carry the opposite arm of said lever out of the path of the nose E2 of the slide and permit the door to be fully opened. The further upward movement ofv the slide and door causing the lever C to force the coin past the lever-arm D will allow the coin to drop into the receptacle. The door reaching its highest position is automatically locked and detained at that position by the spring-bolt J, and the operator is free to withdraw the opera-glass from its receptacle, unwinding the chain from the spring-roller such distance as may be necessary in removing the glass to proper position for use, and permitting the roller to be locked by its dogs after a sufficient length of chain has been Withdrawn. Since the user is not supposed to have any key or other means by which he can operate the spring-catch J, the door G cannot be closed .until said catch is opened by a person provided With means for the purpose, the plan. of use being that as such instruments are provided in places of public entertainment, the operating-coin being the price of use, the user having deposited the coin and obtained the use of the.v instrument, retains such use throughout the entire entertainment, and the glasses are restored to the receptacle by the person in charge of the place after the audi- IIO ence has gone, thus making it necessary that the instrument should remain either outside of the case or fully exposed to View in the case when the user ceases his use, so that per,- sons in charge can rapidly, and 'Without halting to inspect each receptacle, discover whether any have been forcibly removed or seriously damaged during the entertainment. This provision also prevents the danger of users heedlessly or curiously inspecting the device, causing the door to become closed, thereby terminating their use of the instrument by locking` it up in the case sooner than they intended. The coin-receptacle, it will be understood, is controlled by a secure lock, and is accessible only to a person provided with a proper key.

The entire receptacle is adapted to be secured to the arm or back of the seat by bolts accessible only when the instrument is open.

I claim- 1. In combination with the case, a receptacle therein, a reciprocating door, which, when closed, prevents access to the receptacle from outside the case, coin-controlled locking mechanism for such door located between the proximate Wallsof the case and receptacle, respectively, said mechanism comprisin g a movable lodgment for the coin whereat it is halted in its passage into the case, -the door having a connection extended from its frame to that side of the receptacle whereat the coincontrolled mechanism is located and connected to and actuating said mechanism to dislodge the coin and cause it to be finally deposited in the case, such actuation occurring during the open movement of the door, substantially as set forth.

-2. In combination with the case, the fixed receptacle within the case, having an opening coinciding with an opening in the case, a reciprocating door which closes said openings, having a yoke extended'around the receptacle within the case, comprising a lodginent whereat the coin is halted in it passage into the. case, the piece which affords such lodgment being connected to and operated by said yoke to dislodge the coin in and by the opening movement of the door, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with the case, a slide E reciprocating therein, coin-controlled locking mechanism adapted when locked' to prevent said slide reciprocating to the limit of its path in one direction, the receptacle H within the case and supported thereon outside the path of the slide, said receptacleV being open at one side, and a door which closes said opening, having a yoke extending from it around the receptacle and secured to the slide, whereby the operation of the door at one side of the receptacle operates the slide at another side, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 28th day of June, 1890.

SAMUEL M. DOWST.

Witnesses:

CHAs. S. BURTON, JEAN ELLIOTT. 

